Championship: Egan goal not enough for Hull as Boro keep automatic hopes alive 

TOMMY TIME: Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway celebrates scoring his sides fifth goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. Pic: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire.

Middlesbrough’s hopes of winning automatic promotion remain alive after they thrashed Watford 5-1 at the Riverside. With second-placed Ipswich drawing at West Brom, Boro have moved to within a point of the top-two positions with one game to play, although Ipswich still have a game in hand.

Boro’s 5-1 victory was their joint-biggest win of the season and came courtesy of doubles from Morgan Whittaker and Tommy Conway plus a goal from David Strelec. Watford’s goal came at the start of the second half from James Abankwah, but while the visitors were a match for their opponents for most of the first period, they were comprehensively outplayed after the break.

Ipswich regained second place with a 0-0 draw at West Brom, who secured safety for the second time in a week. The home side were hit with a two-point deduction for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules on Friday to leave them mathematically vulnerable to relegation. A point here, though, means Oxford are relegated, with Charlton also beating Hull at lunchtime with John Egan's goal not enough to push the Tigers' playoff hopes.

Ipswich face Southampton, who are four points behind them, on Tuesday.

Charlton secured their place in the Championship with goals from Charlie Kelman and Jayden Fevrier as they beat Hull 2-1 at The Valley. The loss leaves the visitors outside the playoff places with one game left to play.

More to come...